Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that the Northeast Georgia region recorded in September an all-time low unemployment rate.
 
The 12-county region also posted gains both for the month and year in labor force and employment, according to preliminary numbers.
 
“Georgia had an amazing month in September,” said Butler. “More than half of our regions set a record for lowest unemployment rate ever.  Many of our counties also posted similar numbers. Those are very strong results.”
 
Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped 0.2 percentage points in September to 3.5 percent. The nation also grew its labor force, increased the number of employed residents and added more 130,000 jobs.
 
Georgia’s unemployment rate also fell 0.1 percentage points in September to reach 3.5 percent.  A year ago, Georgia’s unemployment rate sat at 3.7 percent. The state’s all-time low of 3.4 percent was set in December 2000.
 
Rates fell across all 12 of Georgia’s planning regions. Seven set a record for lowest rates ever.
 
In the region, the unemployment rate decreased in September by 0.7 percentage points, settling at an all-time low of 2.8 percent. A year ago, the rate was 3.3 percent.
 
The labor force increased in September by 1,773. The September total was 306,824. That number is up by 1,289 from the total of September 2018.
 
The Northeast region ended September with 298,177 employed residents.  The number increased by 3,663 in September and went up 2,829 when compared to last September.
 
The number of unemployment claims decreased in September by about 28 percent. When compared to last September, claims were up by about 18 percent.